Viking Treasure Read Online Free Page B

like a magpie to Gruffyd. Haaken just said, "It is at times like these I am pleased I have only girls!"
    When we passed through the gates I dismounted and turned to Snorri.  "Have the horses fed and watered.  We leave for Ketil when I have spoken with my son."
    "Aye lord." He added quietly, "Remember Aiden's words, lord.  Patience."
    I nodded and put on a smile to greet my son and his wife.
    Elfrida threw her arms around me.  She was the best wife my son could have chosen.  I wondered what his nature would have been had he not met her. "Do you stay overnight?" She asked me.
    "No, I ride when I have spoken with Wolf Killer. We travel to the land of Northumbria."
    She nodded, "He told me he left angry. He means no disrespect, father.  He is just..." She searched for words that would not hurt either of us.
    "Wolf Killer.  I know. But what of the time when he rules this land.  What of his haste then? He cannot storm off when he is lord of the Land of the Wolf."
    "He has mellowed, lord." She was clutching at straws for he had become calmer since we had rescued Elfrida from Caer Gybi but not by much.
    "You are far too good for him. Let us go and beard the bear in his den then!" She took my arm as we headed indoors.
    He sat at his table with a stern expression on his face.  I sighed.  This would not be easy.  I forced the smile and extended my hand, "Son."
    Ragnar and Gruffyd were behind me and he was forced to rise and clasp my arm, "Father."
    "I called in as I said I would.  I saw your men improving the defences.  That is good."
    He nodded, "I have my farmers digging channels and building dams so that we can flood the land around if anyone comes this way."
    Haaken said, "With the Danes so close that is a wise move.  The Frisians may or may not come but one day the Danes will decide to take this valley."
    When Wolf Killer nodded I thanked the Allfather that I had brought Haaken. He had said what I could not.
    "Is this enough men to take with you?"
    "I will take Ketil and some of his oathsworn but it should be enough."
    "I wish to go with Grandfather, father." Ragnar was not afraid of facing his father.
    "But..."
    It was Elfrida who came to her son's defence.  "Gruffyd is going. If the Dragonheart thinks it is safe for his son then Ragnar will be safe. He is becoming a man and a warrior, husband.  Soon you will have his byrnie made and he will ride to war.  I lost him long ago.  Your time will come. You will lose him. It happens to all fathers." She held her hand out and grasped mine.  Wolf Killer looked from me to his wife and nodded.  He knew when he was beaten.
    Ragnar threw his arms around her and said, "Thank you mother.  I will be safe.  I ride with Dragonheart and the Allfather watches him.  You have often told me that, father."
    "Aye.  Well you will need your leather and your helmet.  Get a spare horse."
    Elfrida pecked me on the cheek, "I will get him a cloak and blanket. You will watch him will you not?"
    "He rides with the Ulfheonar.  If anything happens to him it will be because I and all my oathsworn are dead."
    Young Garth came over to me.  "One day, Grandfather, I will ride with you."
    "I know and that will be a great day for me with my two grandsons and two sons at my side." I reached under my cloak and took out a small piece of sheepskin.  I unrolled it.  "Here, I promised you a seax and here it is.  Bjorn Bagsecgson made it just as you asked and in the handle is carved a wolf cub.  That is for you."
    The joy on his face made me smile long after we had left the hall and headed north. The road we took was much more pleasant than the road through Grize's Dale.  We headed towards the pass of Shap. I hoped we would reach Ketil by dark. This was a desolate place. The valley ran north to south and it could be a cold and cheerless place in winter. The nearest settlement of any size was Penrhudd. Arne Arneson was Hersir there and he had a wall around his hall.  In the past we had been